Some 400 Western Connecticut State University students and faculty members will be out in the community today for the 2nd annual Day of Service. There are 40 non-profit organizations and city agencies that will be helped. Dean of Students Walter Cramer says many students arrive at Western understanding the value of volunteerism and more learn about it at the university. But he says overall, the students then make it an ongoing part of their lives.
There were 22 agencies helped last year, the first year of this event.
Cramer says the goal of the event is to help the community, to recognize students and their commitment to community, and to create an awareness of the opportunity and the value of volunteerism as part of a college education.
After last year's success, Cramers says a lot of the students then went back to work with the organizations. He said this was a good way for Western to make new connections in the city.
Work includes raking, trimming, weeding, painting, cleaning offices, washing fire trucks, moving books, working with animals and picking up trash.
Among the places the WCSU volunteers will serve are:
Alternative Center of Excellence (ACE)
Ann’ Place
Born Learning Trail in Rogers Park
City Center Danbury
Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut
Danbury Ambulance
Danbury Area Computer Society
Danbury Board of Education
Danbury Museum and Historical Society
Danbury Music Centre
Danbury Office of Public Works
Danbury PAL
Danbury Public Library
Danbury Railway Museum
Danbury Youth Services
Department of Children and Families
Dorothy Day Center
Ellsworth School
Escape to the Arts
Harambee Center
Hayestown School
Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury
Ives Concert Park
Ives Trail Greenway
Jericho Partnership
Lake Kenosia Park
Musicals at Richter
New Street Fire House
Regional Hospice Center for Comfort Care and Healing
St. James Episcopal Church
Stadley Rough School
Taywile Park
TBICO
Western Connecticut State University Child Care Center
“Western Day of Service” has received a commitment of support from many groups and athletic teams from the university, including the women’s basketball team, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse teams, women’s soccer team, men’s soccer team, men’s tennis team, WCSU Education Club, Latin American Student Organization, men’s baseball team, women’s softball team, women’s swimming and diving team, Honors Program, Accounting Society, Greek Council, Cheerleading Team, Commuter Student Association, Department of Social Work, Student Government Association, volleyball team, Educational Access & Achievement Program, Recreation Services, Sigma Delta Tau, WXCI, Office of Housing & Residence Life and Student Affairs.
